The Bridge Newsletter - December 2010

The Bridge Newsletter

The Urban Inner‐City Plant Pt. 1

I can still hear Mark Driscoll in his distinct “Driscoll voice” saying, “Mase, most of usstarted the churches God has called us to lead on even ground with some decent soil; but

you had to start planting by removing parched soil, getting healthy soil in the place of thesoil, planting seeds and fighting a harsh environment just to get things up and running(paraphrase).” I think his point was an understatement.

This realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My thought wasn’t that something was wrong, butthat the reality of planting in a poverty­stricken context, with chronic and toxic issues onevery level that are glazed over, was more difficult than I had ever imagined. Our contextincludes a 90% absence of fathers, Orthodox Sunni Islam as the most respected religion,and chronic gospel under­engagement. In addition, the transformation that is happening isnot only temporal, but also transient—­meaning people are not on their way to North Philly,or Philadelphia for that matter. You either grew up here, came here for school, or you arehere on a temporary work assignment. Every context has its challenges, but when you aredreaming of the gospel bringing people and stability it can feel bleak here.

One of the most fascinating things in Scripture is the apostles passion to see stability in allthe churches (Rom 16:25). No matter what the context, the desire of the apostles was thatas new disciples were added to the church, they should have an unwavering commitment toJesus and bear the fruit of that reality in every area of their lives. Urban church planterscontinually hear discouraging words such as: “rapid growth is a pipe dream;” “seeing 100transformed worshippers takes years;” and “financial self­support may never be a reality.”

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Epiphany's Building at 17th andDiamond Streets in NorthPhiladelphia

Showing off the Glory of Christ in Every Area of Life.

By Dr. Eric Mason

December 2010

“Our context includes a 90%absence of fathers, OrthodoxSunni Islam as the mostrespected religion, and chronicgospel under­engagement.”

December 2010 | The Bridge Newsletter | 2

These kinds of messages make many of those who might plant in these contexts gun­shy ofwalking by faith. They may give up on seeing unreached people groups in the inner­city andthose moving to it as an option to engage as a mission field. However, the urban inner­citycontext has enormous cultural and economic influence through many forms of art, economicfocus groups, residential refocusing initiatives, and targets for some of America’s mostfamous Fortune 500 Companies business strategies.

The 2007 edition of The Buying Power of Black America, an annual report of data collectedby the Department of Commerce, stated that “$744 billion in income was spent on apparel,entertainment, food, beverages, toys, computers, cosmetics, automobiles, travel and dozensof other categories.” This report is being used by Proctor & Gamble, McDonald's, Coca­Cola,Walt Disney Co., Sears, IBM, Mercedes Benz, America Online, Quaker Oats, Pillsbury, Bankof America, Clear Channel, Ford Motor Co. and hundreds of other Fortune 500 companies.

Corporations focus their efforts and energies on consumers within the urban context who aretheir potential customers. I am not suggesting that we adopt the strategies and practices ofmarketing departments of Fortune 500 companies, yet I am saying that these companiesoften see more potential in this context (although unredemptive) than God’s missional squadleaders do.

The question is not whether there is potential for healthy churches to be planted in thesecontexts – there clearly is! The question is whether those of us standing fearfully on thesidelines will use some lame excuse to continue to walk by sight instead of walking by faith.

1Cor 15:58 states, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, alwaysabounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” This isa great encouragement to the urban church planter. God’s scoring system is so muchsweeter than ours if we measure it by things like faithfulness, character and obedience. DagHammarskjold in his work Markings stated,

He broke fresh ground because, and only because, he had the courageto go ahead without asking whether others were following or evenunderstood. He had no need for the divided responsibility in whichothers seek to be safe from ridicule, because he had been granted afaith which required no confirmation - a contact with reality, light andintense like the touch of a loved hand: a union in self-surrender withoutself-destruction, where His heart was lucid and His mind loving.Jesus understands. . .Let’s Go!

The Urban Inner‐City Plant

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Lead Pastor Dr. Eric Mason with hiswife Yvette and their boys Immanueland Nehemiah

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Diamond Street in Philadelphia

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“I am not suggesting that we adoptthe strategies and practices ofmarketing departments of Fortune500 companies, yet I am saying thatthese companies often see morepotential in this context (althoughunredemptive) than God's missionalsquad leaders do."

December 2010 | The Bridge Newsletter | 3

Epiphany Fellowship reviews our strategic plan frequently as we continue to address ourdesire to “Show off the Glory of Christ in every area of life.” Epiphany desires to develop

disciples that are competent to minister in the complex urban culture we are called to, and helpnew disciples to grow in obedience to God’s word in every area of their lives. Below are somekey initiatives we are working on to helps us deliver on this vision:

Epiphany Bookstore

Thanks to an initial donation from Crossway Books, Epiphany opened its bookstore in October2010. Epiphany is excited to offer a bookstore in the inner city where people can get consistentlysolid resources that offer customers true hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray foragreements with other publishers to help this become a great discipleship resource forPhiladelphia.

Camden Church Plant

Epiphany Camden is moving ahead as the first church plant directly out of Epiphany Fellowship.Pastor Doug Logan, his wife Angel, and their children will be moving to Camden, New Jersey inearly 2011. Doug will officially start part­time at Epiphany Camden in January 2010 and full­timein April 2011. Pray for a healthy transition for the Logan family as they begin in earnest the workof church planting in Camden.

Community Playground

In April 2011, Epiphany will be installing a state of the art playground due to the generousdonation of Childs Play Incorporated and members of The Village Church in Dallas, TX. Ourneighbors have asked for this as their number one request and we are thankful to the Lord formeeting this pressing need for a safe place for neighborhood children and families. Pray thatEpiphany will be able to acquire on additional lot that is required to install the playground.Currently the lot is priced at $50,000.

Ministry Intern

Epiphany has added a full­time ministry Intern, Thomas Anderson, as of September 2010.Thomas is newly married and is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University. His internship isbeing funded primarily through an agreement with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churchdenomination. Reformed Theological Seminary has also given Thomas a full scholarship throughtheir virtual campus

Central Heat and Air Conditioning

Epiphany continues to be in need of central heat and air conditioning to facilitate the needs of theministry. The ministry is in need of approximately $30,000 to meet this important necessity.

Delivering on the Vision

Philadelphia FactsOnly 8% of Philadelphia residentsattend church on any given Sunday

Cited by Common Grace aPhiladelphia based research andchurch consulting agency

Philadelphia’s population is nowgrowing for the first time in over 60years and is now over 1.5 million(the metro area has almost 6million)

Philadelphia’s population is over58% minorities with AfricanAmericans accounting for over 41%of the city’s population

On any given Sunday more than1.38 million city residents are not inchurch.

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Pastor Mason preaching at a SundayGathering

December 2010 | The Bridge Newsletter | 4

In October 2010, Epiphany Fellowship began implementing Life Groups as the primary methodof discipleship, nurture and community witness to proclaim Jesus to our communities in and

around Philadelphia. Eleven groups were launched on the week of October 3, 2010, with four ofthem being specifically aimed at college students.

Although Epiphany has done small group ministry in the past, the launch of Life Groups signifies anew stage in the development of “missional communities” at Epiphany. Life Groups are smallgroup communities of faith where the gospel is lived out intentionally. They are places wheremembers meet weekly for study, worship and prayer and interact daily in caring, sharing, serviceand recreation. Life Groups are where the body of Christ becomes manifest as a living and life­giving organism in neighborhoods all over greater Philadelphia.

The two main goals for the Life Groups are that they will: 1) Become a place where every membercan grow in Christ through a healthy community, and; 2) Be a place where people who do not yetknow Jesus can be introduced to him through the witness of the community through word anddeed. These goals are accomplished by insuring that the groups are gospel­centered,community­building and missionally­engaged. The plain implication of this is that every memberwill be stretched to live out the Gospel intentionally as they are nurtured and challenged in acommunity of growing disciples.

We ask for your prayers as we begin this journey with Life Groups. Due to the growth of thechurch we need to have a least 20 groups by Spring 2011 and 30 to 40 groups by Fall 2011.Please pray that the Lord will give us wisdom that we might nurture our members in healthyChristian community and reach those who do not yet know Jesus with the saving good news ofthe Gospel.

Ministry Highlight: Life Groups

“Life Groups are small groupcommunities of faith where thegospel is lived out intentionally.They are places where membersmeet weekly for study, worship andprayer and interact daily in caring,sharing, service and recreation.Life Groups are where the body ofChrist becomes manifest as a livingand life­giving organism inneighborhoods all over greaterPhiladelphia.”

Understanding the NeedThanks to all of you who have prayed for us and supported us over the years. We are entering the season of urban planting where our firsttier partners are ending their commitments and we are in need of second tier partners. By tier we mean time periods of financialcommitment for church start ups in ministry contexts such as ours. Inner­city plants take 10 years to become internally supported by themembership. However, we hope to be there within 7 to 8 yearrs which will be 4 years from now. Currently we are 62% internally supportedand 38% externally supported. Therefore, we are asking for partners to join us for the next 4 years. Currently we’ve had one supportingchurch commit 30k for the upcoming year. Will you join us as a second tier partner? We ask you to consider a pledge of $100 per month(for individuals) or 5, 10, 20 or 30k per year (individuals, churches, organizations) for the next 3 to 4 years. Please consider partnering withus in reaching Philadelphia for Christ.

By Pastor Larry Smith

December 2010 | The Bridge Newsletter | 5

At any given Sunday gathering, Epiphany Fellowship is the host to numerous visitors, bothfrom the local community and from afar. It is easy, in a growing church with many activities

going on for visitors to feel lost in the shuffle.

Epiphany’s Connections Ministry seeks to assure that that does not happen. The ConnectionsMinistry has been given the mandate to make sure that every visitor experiences the love of awelcoming Christian community. Once every month, the ministry hosts a 10 minute party after themorning gatherings. The parties allow visitors to enjoy fellowship with other visitors, pastors, andchurch members, while learning more about Epiphany.

“Oftentimes people walk in and out of the doors without so much as saying hello to their neighbor,”Renata Alford, a Connections Team member and one of the party's organizers, explained. “The10 minute party provides a non­threatening atmosphere for people to get to know each other.”

Usually the parties occur in the basement with a small arrangement of chairs and lightrefreshments. As people arrive, the Connections Ministry ensures everyone has been greeted andhelps facilitate conversation. As they get to know each other or “chop it up,” as we say, visitorscan leave their contact information with the connections team for follow­ups. Those hoping to get“plugged into a ministry” also have a chance to note what area they are interested in lending theirtalents and gifts to.

In the past, the turnout has been fairly large, but for the Connections Ministry, it's not about thenumbers. The goal, Renata stated, is to “model Jesus’ heart to reach out to the least, the last,and the lost by initiating a relationship with those new members and visitors at EpiphanyFellowship.”

The 10 minute parties have provided a unique way to engage the community and live out theWord. In John 13:34b­35 Jesus said, “just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.By this all people will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” Renataindicates that these verses are something that the ministry seeks to prayerfully put into action witheach party. In essence, the parties have sought to use connecting with people to see liveschanged by the Gospel. The 10 minute parties look like a great start.

The Art of 10 Minute Party

Above Photos

Visitors' meet and greet time during thegathering

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Members conversing after thegathering

By Casey Jackson

The Last Word…Epiphany Fellowship is extremely grateful to all of those who have partnered with us by your prayers and financialsupport. We pray for your continued partnership in the gospel as we endeavor to reach Philadelphia and prepareservant­leaders to continue the work of church planting in urban centers.